Lunch-box.



PATENTED JULY 3, 1906.

M. BALES.

LUNCH BOX.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 1. 1905.

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Gummy) witmeowo THE NORRIS PETERS co., WASHINGTON. c. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MINNIE BALES, OF GADSDEN, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO A. W. STEWART, OF EDEN, ALABAMA.

LUNCH-BOX- Specification of Letters Patent.

.ratented July 3, 1906.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MINNIE BALES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gadsden, in the county of Etanah and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lunch-Boxes and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to lunch-boxes, and contemplates certain improvements in the same which increase its value as a receptacle and carrier for articles of food.

The object of my invention is to provide a lunch-box which has a rigid handle secured to its ends and extending across above said box, particularly adapted to facilitate the removal of the trays from the box, and which may itself be readil opened without coming in contact with the liandle.

The invention consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the claim concluding this specification.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a side view of a lunch-box made in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an end view thereof. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. 4 is a central transverse sectional view; and Figs. 5 and 6 are detailed perspective views, respectively, of the upper and lower trays.

While the preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and its construction is described in this specification, the. right is reserved to make such changes from the construction shown and described herein as the scope of the claim hereto appended will permit.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 is the lunch-box, having its end provided with oppositely-sloping upper edges 2. The handle 3 is secured to the ends near their highest points. To the sides of the box are hinged the covers or closures 4 and 5, which are adapted to fold in upon the sloping edges of the ends and meet in the middle. The

members of the cover should lap over the edges of the ends and should form a tight joint at their meeting edges to prevent dust or dirt from sifting into the box. The cover 4 is provided with a ventilating-opening 6, covered with fine wire-gauze 7. Said cover 4 also carries a hasp 8, adapted to engage a staple 9, secured to the other cover and to which said hasp may be fastened by means of a small padlock 10.

Any form of tray or trays may be carried in the box; but I prefer to use a lower tray 11, fitting into the bottom of the receptacle and divided into a plurality of compartments 12 by means of partitions 13. This lower tray is adapted to hold different kinds of vegetables or the like. The upper tray 14 is made to conform to the upper portion of the receptacle and is adapted to rest upon the top of the lower tray. Said upper tray has peaked ends 15 conforming to the peaked ends of the box and is provided with a central longitudinal partition 16*, by means of which said tray may be handled in removing it from the box. The compartments 16 and 17 of the upper tray are adapted to hold bread, meat, preserves, and the like. To one side of the partition 16 is secured a pair of hooks or brackets 18, which may be used to support the knives and forks.

It will be noted that the folding covers are so arranged that the rigid handle does not interfere with their being opened and shut. The peaked shape of the box renders the upper tray easier to insert and remove.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A lunch-box having peaked ends, a tray having correspondingly-peaked ends, said tray having'a longitudinal partition carrying hooks arranged on a plane above the sides of the tray, for the purpose specified, and a cover for said box.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MINNIE BALES.

Witnesses:

DORSEY STEWART, A. L. TRUITT. 

